Idunkonyou

As you probably already know, 2010 will be a huge FA summer, with stars like Lebron, Wade, Bosh, etc being avaiable. The cap has been going up on average of about 3 million per year for the last 3 or so years. If that continues it could be as high as 64 to 65 million by 2010. The Magic in that summer will only 4 contracts on the books in Reddick, Nelson, Lewis and Howard which would total around 43 million. They will probably have a few other contracts as well, but not really high paid players. All in all if the Magic stayed put for the next 2 summers, besides bringing in a couple low first rounders and maybe a low paying roster player or FA, they will be set to make a run at one of those guys in 2010. Of course I would suspect they would go after Wade or Lebron over any one else, namely Lebron since he can play 3 spots (SG, SF and PF). Could you imagine pairing Lebron with Howard, Lewis and Nelson? It would be game over for the league for a long time. The Magic bench wouldn't be deep the first year these guys are together, but they could fix that in the 2nd season easily. That could also be the same year that Fran comes over finally.

Go ahead and laugh all you like, but if Otis doesn't use the MLE this summer, then the obvious is obvious and IMO he would be better off re-sign a few of our bench guys to low deals that expire in 2010 and keep the core we have now, with out really adding much to it because in 2010, the gold mine will be open for pickings and if the Magic have the money, a pairing with Howard and Lewis would be the most attractive offer for any of those guys period.

bmac

That $43m doesn't include Redick, only Dwight, Lewis and Nelson. If Redick gets a qualifying offer, that number goes up to $47m. Even if the cap does get up to that level u posted, it's extremely doubtful they'll have enough left over to sign a max guy like LeBron or Wade.

And considering that u just signed 28 year old Rashard Lewis, their front office will do whatever it takes to win now. They'd be stupid to forgo potential opportunities to improve (ie. using the mid-level exception), just for the off-chance that one of those guys will jump ship.

Not many superstars merely sign with other teams these days anyway, they hold out for a sign and trade so they can get the maximum deal possible.

Babir

next year is pretty good...of course we won't be able to get Baron Davis or Elton Brand, but what about Jamison, Maggette or Artest? there are plenty of free agents this year...

Idunkonyou

A sign and trade can be worked with a mere 2nd round pick being sent to the other team to get them max money. That was proven with the Lewis deal.

Also the starting salaries of Wade, Lebron, Bosh, what have you will be around 17 million so that is what the Magic will need in order to sign them.

I do agree that the Magic want to win now, but they are and can with what they have on the roster. Remember Battie is coming back next year and Fran will probably be coming over as well. The Magic will also have a couple of low first rounders that will really have little to no impact on the cap over the next few years. They really don't need to use the MLE if you think about it. They can easily re-sign a few of their guys to low key deals spanning over the next 2 years, continue to play at a high level of BBall and then have 17 million to spend in 2010 with Fran, Howard, Nelson, Lewis and a few other low key contracts on the roster. Once they get one of those guys, veterans will be flocking to the team, willing to take the vets exception pay to go for a title and then the summer after that, the Magic can pick and choose who they want to bring to the team via the MLE, VE and will also have another 1st rounder.

Idunkonyou

But those guys are going to be asking for a lot more than the MLE, which is really all the Magic will have to offer.

Ruff Draft

You don't want to lose all your depth do you?

__________________
"I'm not just saying we are going to do it my way, I'm just saying we are going to do it the Championship Way."
-Michael Curry

2008-2009 Detroit Pistons
PG: Chauncey Billups, Rodney Stuckey
SG: Rip Hamilton, Arron Afflalo
SF: Tayshaun Prince, Walter Herrmann, Walter Sharpe
PF: Rasheed Wallace, Jason Maxiell, Amir Johnson
C: Kwame Brown, Antonio McDyess, Cheick Samb

Idunkonyou

They will still have a few 1st round contracts, Fran, Howard, Nelson and Lewis on the books. Then they add Lebron or Wade, play through a season with little depth, then add a lot of depth the next summer via MLE, VE and another 1st round contract.

Of course this is not set in stone, but if could very well happen if Otis can manage the cap well over the next 2 years.

bmac

So basically this whole plan revolves around the cap management by the guy who gave Rashard Lewis a $120m+ deal? Yeah i can't see this not working...

Babir

Jamison will be 32, maybe he will agree for MLE...

Idunkonyou

That is possible, but unlikely. He will probably be asking for a contract much like Vince Carter got. Not quite a max deal, but pretty close, probably starting out at around 10 to 12 million.

Babir

It depends how far Magic will go this season, Jamison already mentioned that he would agree to play for contender for less money...

Idunkonyou

Like I said, it is possible and getting Jamison for the MLE would be huge. It would allow Hedo to go back to the bench or move to SG, since Jamison would start at PF and Lewis at SF. I just hope Otis doesn't blow the MLE on just an ok player. If he can get a guy like Maggette or Jamison or basically a team changing player like Lewis was for us next summer, then I say use it. If not, then don't.

deanwoof

well think about it this way: boston got good FA signings late AFTER they pulled the KG deal. eddie house and james posey were great, cheap pickups. imagine going after these stars at the BEGINNING of the free agency period. if otis can sell them on how good we already are, tell them, hey.. what's the difference between $10 and $15 million when you've already made so much via endorsements and old contracts?

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Idunkonyou

Maggette has expressed interest in returning to the Magic. I think getting him or Jamison for the MLE would be money for the Magic because both are 20 point scorers. That would give the Magic an entire starting lineup of guys who can give you 20 or more points any night of the season.